Here, our medical professionals across multiple disciplines work as a team to help treat cancer and ease stress on patients and their families. They dedicate their lives to delivering care that is timely, current and compassionate.

In 1995, the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer accredited our hospital as a Community Hospital Cancer Program. We were one of the first hospitals in West Virginia to receive this accreditation.

Diagnosis Services

Pathology. Pathologists play a key role in the diagnosis of cancer. They examine tissue samples for cancerous cells. Once the diagnosis is made, they help determine the stage of the disease and create a plan of care.

Radiology. The skill of today’s radiologists and remarkable advances in technology has significantly improved our ability to diagnose cancer. With the help of CT, MRI, Radio Frequency ablation, ultrasound and nuclear medicine technologies, our interventional radiologists perform biopsies that are less invasive, less uncomfortable and more accurate than traditional procedures.

Endoscopy. Endoscopy is a key procedure for diagnosing cancer in which physicians use a scope to visualize the head and neck, the air passages, the chest, the abdomen, the gastrointestinal system, and the urinary bladder. Any tumor within these regions can be seen and biopsied. This procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis.

Treatment Services

Surgery. Surgery plays a vital role in the management and treatment of cancer. Most cancers are diagnosed by a surgical biopsy and then treated with some combination of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

Otolaryngology. Head and neck cancer are often found in the sinuses, nose, larynx, mouth, tongue, throat, and on the skin’s surface. Our cancer network includes physicians who are board certified in facial plastic surgery and in the treatment of cancer in the head and neck region.

Urology. Complete urological services are available at PCH in the form of screening, cystoscopy, chemotherapy and bladder instillation. These procedures, alone or accompanied by other treatments, can often control or even cure many cancers.

Dermatology. Dermatologists deal with cancers related to the skin’s surface. The dermatology experts at PCH offer total body exams to detect any signs of skin cancer or melanomas, and they offer treatment of such cancers usually through chemical or surgical procedures.

Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the use of powerful drugs to control the growth of cancer cells. Most of these drugs are given through the veins and distributed through the entire body. It is the role of our oncologists to determine the most advantageous drugs to use, schedule treatment and use supportive measures to minimize side effects. We have oncology-certified nurses working in these areas.

Clinical trials. A clinical trial is a research study performed with human volunteers to answer specific questions related to the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of disease. For many cancer patients, clinical trials offer new options for treatment.

Specialized Services

Pain control and management services. When oral medications prescribed for cancer-related pain are ineffective, other pain control measures are available. PCH has an array of pain management techniques, and is the only cancer center in the area to provide complete pain management support for most types of cancer.

Nutrition services. Our registered dietitians offer consultations and assessments for inpatients and outpatients who are experiencing nutritional difficulties due to cancer. They design a healthy diet for every patient that may include supplements. Patients can return for consultation up to one year after discharge to continue nutritional assessment.

Social services. Our social services experts help patients and their families adjust to and understand a cancer diagnosis, while offering counseling, financial planning and support to cancer patients and their loved ones. They also help patients access community resources, and can assist in preparation of living wills and medical power of attorney documents. The Cancer Care Coordinator is available for all of these services and is a trained oncology nurse.

Home health services. Home health care enables patients to remain in the comfort of their homes while receiving treatment for cancer, with home health nurses working as a link between the patient and the physician, providing consultations and home visits.

Hospice services. Any patient who has been diagnosed with a terminal disease and does not desire treatment or artificial life support qualifies for hospice care. PCH works closely with Hospice Care of the Virginias to arrange hospice services for those who want them, and provides them in either a hospice setting or in the patient’s home. The organization provides its services regardless of the patient’s ability to pay, and is Medicare certified. Our inpatient area has two newly remodeled Hospice rooms providing a more home-like environment.

Support and Education Services

Spiritual support. Throughout the phases of cancer, patients and families often experience feelings of anger, depression and hopelessness. Our pastoral care offers emotional and spiritual support to patients and their loved ones, helping them assess their internal resources for dealing with the disease in a more hopeful way.

Cancer Support Group. The Cancer Support Group at PCH offers experience, advice and support to people dealing with cancer. Through a program called “Reach to Recovery,” breast cancer patients can talk to women who have personally experienced the physical, emotional and cosmetic aspects of breast cancer and treatment. Also available to our patients is the “Look Good, Feel Good” program and “Reach to Recovery” by the American Cancer Society.

Cancer Resource Center. Patients, their families and healthcare providers need accurate, up-to-date information about cancer. Through our Cancer Resource Center, they have access to a variety of tools including information databases, technical journals, specialized textbooks and Internet access to the nation's leading cancer programs.

Tumor registry. Data gathering of all cases is an integral part of cancer care. At PCH, it starts with documentation at the time of tissue diagnosis and continues through staging, therapeutic intervention and outcome for the patient’s lifetime.

Education. Our Education Department emphasizes preventive care for cancer and has a library of information on cancer-related topics. We also take our educational programs into local schools to teach children about lifestyle choices that can help prevent cancer.

Where to locate us

The Cancer Center, which includes both inpatient and outpatient oncology, is located on the fourth floor of the main building.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION: Princeton Community Hospital complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Princeton Community Hospital does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge are available to you via Fluent Language Services 1-888-306-7726.
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. 1-888-306-7726.
注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。1-888-306-7726. Click here to read the full notice.